One Icon, One Detail: Bob Dylan's Sunglasses

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Now, normally when it comes to sunglasses, there are few acts more egregious than wearing your shades inside (although wearing them at night might be more offensive, Corey Hart notwithstanding). But let's face it: When you're Bob Dylan, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

By the time this shot was taken in 1965, Dylan had revitalized folk music in this country, with four albums under his belt and a fifth on the way. He'd also become a major fixture of the civil rights movement. Oh, and he wasn't even twenty-five yet. With a resume like that, it's safe to say that Dylan's decision to wear sunglasses inside to block out those harsh fluorescent bulbs is more than excusable.

And hey, if he's gonna wear them inside, at least they fit. Unlike his modern musical counterparts — any rapper with a Top 40 hit, for instance — Dylan knows a thing or two about how sunglasses should frame your face. While far too many so-called stars adhere to the "Texas" rule when it comes to eyewear, bigger is not in fact better. And on the flip side of the same coin: Lapels might be getting smaller these days, but that doesn't mean your sunglasses should follow suit.

Dylan's specs strike the perfect balance. They fit his face — shading his entire field of view — but they don't swallow it whole. And that kind of proportion is exactly what you should be looking for, too. Like a good suit, good glasses will enhance your look without overshadowing you or throwing you off balance. Just remember, you aren't a rock legend, so please take 'em off indoors.